Harnessing the power of sport to tackle knife crime in Bristol

Bristol’s major sports clubs are joining forces with police and community organisations in a citywide bid to tackle knife crime and street violence.

“Food, music and sport are all unifying forces,” says Afzal Shah, speaking to Bristol24/7 inside Sweet Mart on St Mark’s Road, where the ground-breaking project first came to fruition over an informal meal.

Recognising the potential power in harnessing the combined resources of sports clubs, community groups and youth workers, the Labour councillor for Easton brought together key players from across the city to discuss a united approach.

The aim is to take preventative measures amid a national rise in knife crime that is destroying lives and blighting communities. It is also a key priority within the One City Plan for this year.

“Knife crime is a significant problem throughout the country. We are fortunate that in Bristol it’s not to the same extent as some other areas. However, looking through the police and crime plan, I felt that we are missing an opportunity in not involving sports,” continues Afzal.

“It’s a social responsibility. Sport can give young people physical activity, but it also instills discipline and self-confidence.”

Sports clubs, police and organisations are uniting as part of a city-wide initiative to tackle knife crime

The aim is to engage role models and mentors as part of the project

What started as a talk over dinner in Easton developed into a seminar, held at Gloucestershire County Cricket Club, with people from Bristol Rovers, Bristol City, Empire Fighting Chance, Back2Action, Bristol Horn Youth Concern, as well as police, community representatives and a surgeon, who sees the tragic effects of knife crime first hand.

The project will officially launch with a major event in Castle Park this summer to raise awareness of the issue and engage communities, youth workers and potential mentors. This will feature the major sports clubs, sporting activities and public health stalls.

For Afzal, taking a public health approach to knife crime is key, as are positive role models, who will be enrolled as part of the project.

Also involved are the co-founders of Bristol’s Somali Kitchen, who strive to create positive change through food, and are all too aware of the fear parents feel when their offspring are out of sight.

Nimo and Sahra of Bristol Somali Kitchen say building trust will be key

“I used to be so worried and it’s not just me, it’s all the mums,” says Sahra Hasan, a co-founder of the Somali Kitchen, who has three sons – two of which are now grown up.

“There are no youth clubs anymore and a complete lack of activities for young people. Housing for families is often too small.”

Sahra says her boys would have loved to play more sport, but she couldn’t afford to keep paying for sessions. She is hopeful this project will open up sports that have not been accessible to some children before, as well as help build trust between police and communities.

Nimo Ibrahim, another of the Somali Kitchen’s three co-founders, says a lot of the worry is about gangs.

“Mums who have sons, as soon as they see police they worry so much,” she tells Bristol24/7.

“I think its high time people came together to see what they can do and I think this project will be great. They (young people) need to get taken off the streets and out of their comfort zones and introduced to new things.

“Trying to build trust on all sides is key.”

Sahra and Nimo also campaign against the inequalities of takeaway culture in the city and work to educate their communities around healthy eating.

They have witnessed first-hand the power food can have in generating positive social change and, through the Somali Kitchen, have succeeded in breaking down barriers, challenging preconceptions and foster friendships.

For Afzal, harnessing the power of activities that bring people together is key. And he has so far received unanimous support for the ambitious project that he hopes will have a far-reaching impact.

Andy Marsh says police enforcement alone won’t work in tackling knife crime

Giving his backing, chief Constable Andy Marsh said: “It’s great to see so many different sporting and community groups coming together to share strategies on how we can engage young people and divert them away from crime and conflict.

“Serious violence cannot be tackled by police enforcement alone; it is vital that all agencies and stakeholders work collaboratively to understand and address the reasons why young people are driven to carry a knife, sell drugs or be involved in anti-social behaviour, which all have a detrimental effect on local communities.

“I am passionate about the power of sport to transform lives. I look forward to supporting this initiative as it moves forward and grows.”

Chris Munden, of Gloucestershire Cricket Board, agreed the potential of a city-wide approach towards sport and social cohesion is huge.

“There is some great work that already goes on across the city, but it feels at the moment everyone works in isolation,” he says.

“The aim of this group is to find a way that we can collaborate and achieve shared outcomes that increase physical activity, but, more importantly, use sport as the vehicle to tackle wider social issues such as obesity, knife crime, city line issues and gangs.”

Adam Tutton, CEO of Bristol Rovers Community Trust, said the club is delighted to be working with sporting partners and respected community leaders to create positive social change and reduce crime and the negative effects of anti-social behaviour on people’s lives.

He adds: “The project will also see us offering young people educational pathways through our BTEC courses delivered at the Memorial Stadium”.

Read more: Police action to tackle knife crime